Riding a motorcycle on Minneapolis, Minnesota, roads without the proper license can land you in serious legal trouble. It can also complicate your ability to recover compensation if you are ever involved in a crash. As a result, learning about the state’s licensing requirements is an important first step for any rider.
Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys is a Minneapolis-based injury firm with over 80 years of combined experience. Our Minnesota motorcycle accident lawyers have recovered more than $90 million for injured clients across the state and were recently named Attorneys of the Year by Minnesota Lawyer. If you are ever injured in a motorcycle accident, our firm is prepared to stand with you.
Below is a breakdown of what Minnesota law requires before you hit the road on two wheels. Contact us today at (800) 292-1979.
How Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys Can Help After a Motorcycle Accident in Minnesota
Riders who do everything right can still be hurt by a negligent driver in Minneapolis, MN. When that happens, medical bills pile up fas, and the insurance companies will quickly look for ways to minimize what they owe you. Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys has been representing injured motorcyclists across Minnesota for decades.
If you are involved in a crash, our Minneapolis personal injury lawyers can:
- Investigate the accident and preserve critical evidence before it disappears
- Determine who is at fault and hold them accountable
- Calculate your full losses, including future medical care and long-term earning impacts
- Deal directly with the insurance companies so you do not have to
- Take your case to trial if the other side refuses to offer what your claim is worth
Get in touch with us today to set up a free case evaluation with a Minneapolis personal injury attorney.
What Do I Need to Legally Ride a Motorcycle in Minnesota?
Under Minnesota Statute § 169.974, anyone operating a motorcycle on a public street or highway must hold a valid driver’s license with either a motorcycle instruction permit or a motorcycle endorsement. A standard Class D driver’s license alone is not enough.
There are two ways to earn the full motorcycle endorsement in Minnesota:
- Pass the skills test at a DVS exam station. After obtaining a motorcycle instruction permit, you can schedule and complete a riding skills test through the Department of Public Safety. Once you pass, you can apply to have the motorcycle endorsement added to your driver’s license and pay the applicable licensing fee.
- Complete the MMSC Basic Rider Course. If you are 18 or older and hold both a valid Minnesota driver’s license and a motorcycle permit, you can take the Basic Rider Course (BRC) through the Minnesota Motorcycle Safety Center. Successfully finishing the course waives the skills test entirely.
For riders 18 and older, either route starts with a motorcycle instruction permit. Riders under 18 must complete the Basic Rider Course before obtaining their permit.
How Do I Get a Motorcycle Instruction Permit?
Before you can begin practicing on the road, you need a motorcycle instruction permit. However, riders under 18 must complete the BRC before obtaining their permit. You must already hold a valid Minnesota driver’s license to qualify. The state does not issue motorcycle permits to people who only have a standard instruction permit for a car.
The process is straightforward:
- Study the Minnesota Motorcycle and Motorized Bicycle Manual
- Visit a DVS exam station and pass the written knowledge test
- Pay the applicable permit fee
Once you have the permit, you can legally ride under certain conditions while working toward your full endorsement. However, permit holders face restrictions that endorsement holders do not.
What Restrictions Apply to Riders With a Permit?
A motorcycle instruction permit is not the same as a full endorsement. Minnesota places specific limitations on permit holders to promote safety while they gain experience.
While riding on a permit, you must follow these rules:
- No riding between 30 minutes after sunset and 30 minutes before sunrise
- No carrying passengers on the motorcycle
- You must wear protective headgear and eye protection
- You must keep the permit on you while operating the bike
These restrictions stay in place until you earn the full endorsement. For riders under 18, additional rules apply. Younger riders must complete an approved motorcycle driver’s safety course and pass the state skills test before receiving an endorsement. A parent or court-appointed guardian must sign the application.
Can Licensing Status Affect a Motorcycle Accident Claim?
It absolutely can. While riding without an endorsement does not automatically bar you from filing a personal injury claim in Minnesota, it gives the other side ammunition. Insurance adjusters and defense attorneys may argue that your lack of proper training or licensing contributed to the accident.
Minnesota follows a modified comparative fault system, meaning your compensation can be reduced by your share of responsibility. If the other side successfully ties your unlicensed status to the cause of the crash, it could lower the value of your claim. In some cases, it might become a central issue at trial.
This is one more reason why earning your endorsement before riding is so important. It protects you legally and puts you in a stronger position if something goes wrong.
Injured in a Minnesota Motorcycle Crash? Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys Can Help
Having the right license in Minneapolis, MN, is essential, but even the most prepared riders can be injured by someone else’s negligence. If that happens to you, Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys has the experience and the track record to pursue the compensation you deserve.
Our Minnesota motorcycle accident attorneys have recovered over $90 million for injured clients in the state. Call us today for a free case evaluation.